ISWM plant to transform waste management in city

Patna: The reclamation of land led by the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) at Ramchak Bairiya aims to process approximately 20 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste. Since biomining began two years ago, the three agencies engaged in the project have cleared more than eight lakh tonnes of legacy waste.

During a recent inspection, municipal commissioner Yahpal Meena directed officials to achieve the target by May 31, 2026. The deadline is intended to ensure that the site is fully secured and organised before the onset of the monsoon.


Once reclamation is complete, the 50-acre land will be utilised for the construction of the integrated solid waste management (ISWM) plant. At present, more than 2,000 tonnes of legacy waste are being processed daily at the site.

A senior executive at PMC, requesting anonymity, said, “During the current reclamation phase, legacy waste is being segregated into three distinct categories to ensure maximum utility and environmental safety.”

The first category is refuse-derived fuel (RDF), accounting for 20% of the processed material, which is supplied to cement and thermal power plants as fuel. The second category is bio-soil, comprising 50% of the waste, derived from biodegradable materials that decompose into organic manure for agricultural use or as filler in low-lying areas. The remaining 30% is classified as inert waste, including rocks, boulders and ceramics, which are used as construction filling material.

For this large-scale operation, PMC is paying approximately Rs 395 per tonne to the three hired agencies responsible for processing the waste.

The source further said that alongside physical reclamation, PMC is working to obtain environmental clearances from the pollution control board. This involves preparation of a detailed report analysing potential changes in air quality, soil composition, water health and noise levels, as well as assessing the overall environmental impact of the facility and outlining mitigation measures.

As part of the clearance process, a public hearing will be organised for residents living near the Bairiya area to address concerns and ensure transparency before the project moves into the construction phase.

The ISWM plant is designed to process municipal waste from Patna and 12 surrounding urban local bodies. An online tender has been floated for private players, and the bidding process is underway.

The facility will take approximately two years to become operational after construction begins. Once functional, it will transform Patna’s waste management system by converting wet waste into compost and compressed biogas (CBG) for use as fuel.

Dry waste will be sent to a material recovery facility for systematic segregation into recyclable and non-recyclable streams. Recyclable materials will be processed into granules for the manufacture of items such as slippers and raincoats. Non-recyclable dry waste that cannot be composted will be processed as RDF to generate 15 MW of electricity, which will be integrated into Patna’s power grid to support the city’s energy requirements.